The former head of the London futures unit at custody bank State Street has joined futures specialist brokerage GH Financials as its new chief operating officer, as the firm continues its expansion push in European and Asian derivatives markets.

Steve Martin will oversee the operations for the firm at its London base, from where it trades several global futures markets in Asia. Last year, the brokerage was the first firm to become a remote trading member of Tokyo Financial Exchange, operator of Japan's largest futures market. Martin confirmed the move.